The US govt debt just reached a new all-time high of $39.5 trillion. It will reach $40 trillion within 3 or 4 months. 42% of all income tax revenue now goes to paying interest on the national debt. The debt will never be reduced. When bonds come due, the govt refinances at the current higher rates. This increases interest payments the govt pays. in the next 12 months, about $9 trillion in US govt debt will come due. The US treasury will need to refinance $9 trillion, plus they need to sell over $2 trillion in additional bonds (new debt) to cover the govt budget deficit. The key issue you have to consider is how this will affect you and your family. The US govt debt is swallowing the budget. The interest payments will likely consume more than 50% of all income tax revenue in a few years. At some point this financial Ponzi causes bond buyers to demand higher rates for the risk of owning US govt debt. The US govt will always pay it's debt, but if the Fed has to print money (digitally) to monetize the debt, then the US dollar declines in value. That affects your buying power and quality of life dramatically. Everything gets more expensive, but your income doesn't keep up with the process.(Wall Street Mav)